Knitting machine press-off multiple detector



2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR i@ ma i/ 555W Arme/ V54 E. VOSSEN KNITTINGMACHINE PRESS OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Filed July 9, 1947 May 11, 1948. E.vossEN v 2,441,522

KNITTING MACHINE PRESS OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Filed July 9, 1947 2sheets-sheet 2 A IN V EN TOR. 2|' ZI' 7 7 Eph/@K0 @fsf/v E BY I 12j-@f5@Tram/5X patented May V1,948

KNITTING MACHINE PRESS-*OFF MULTIPLE DETECTOR Edward Vossen, Brooklyn,N. Y., assigner to' Stop-Motion Devices Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., a

corporation of New York Application July 9, 1947, Serial No. 759,762

(Cl. (i6- 166) 19 Claims. 1

This invention relatesA to new and useful improvements in press-offdetectors for iiat and circular knitting machines.

When a slub or knot or entanglement or obstruction occurs at one ci theguide holes at the needles of a knitting machine, the yarn breaks and apress-ofi of the machine is started, that is, the knitted materialstarts falling off the knitting needles. Unless the knitting machine isinstantly stopped the press-off continues until it is completely aroundor across all of the needles oi the machine and the knitted material iscompletely disengaged. A complete press-off requires a relatively longtime to repair so as to restart the knitting machine. Ii caught early,before the press-ofi` is complete, it is possible to make the necessaryrepairs in a fraction of the time.

This invention proposes the use of a plurality of feeler members movablysupported at spaced positions around the cylinder of the knittingmachine and arranged so as to be held down wardly by engagement againstthe circular knitted material. It is proposed to arrange these feelermembers immediately adjacent the knitting needles so that they maydetect a press-off as soon as it starts. It is proposed to provideresilient means urging the feeler members upwards so that any of saidfeeler members may move upwards into openings forming in the circularknitted material. It is further proposed to provide means for instantlystopping the knitting machine when any of sa-id ieeler members moveupwards. In this way a press-off may be detected early and the machinestopped and the necessary repairs made before the press-ofi is complete.

It should be rememberedA that this invention proposes to arrange aplurality' of such i'eeler members around the cylinder of the knittingmachine directly `adjacent the knitting needles. Any number of theseieeler members may be used, ior example, six or more or less. However,these ieeler members are necessarily positioned at a highly inaccessiblespot. They are within the cylinder of the knitting machine andcompletely hid from view from the sides of the machine. They cannot Veryreadily be seen from the top because they are beneath the knittedmaterial, and moreover, it is very difficult to' look down into thecylinder of a knitting machine from the top because there are many partsobscurng the view. The best view of the ieeler members may be had bylooking up from the Vlfnottom of the knitting machine but this is noteasy as it is necessary for the operator to stoop down and look up.Moreover, in many types of machines there is a lot oi mechanism at thebottom of the cylinders of the machines which makes it particularlydiiiicult to .see and reach the feeler members. Therefore this inventionproposes, as a Very important object, to provide the feeler members withcams for engaging the edges of the openings formed in the circularknitted material and by which the feeler members may be automaticallymoved back into their down positions when the knitting machine isrestarted and knits, and the said openings in the knitted material movedownwards. This arrangement permits the automatic resetting of theieeler members without requiring that they be reached and adjusted.

It is pointed out that knitting machines are provided with various kindsof stop motion devices for detecting various defects in the thread andyarn of the machines for stopping them and preventing the knitting ofdamaged material. These stop motion devices are electrically operatedand actuate an electric controller which functions to sop the knittingmachine. Another object of this. invention is to associate and connectelectric switches with the feeler members referred to above and toconnect said electric switches into the electric stop motion circuit ofthe knitting machine for actuating the electric controller for stoppingthe knitting machine when any one or more of said feeler members moveupwardly.

Another object of this invention is to provide manual means for openingthe stop motion electric circuit so that the knitting machine may berestarted and operated to a point where the circular knitting materialmoves downwards and automatically moves all raised ieeler members backinto their down positions. In these latter positions the switches willbe again opened, and then it is possible to reclose the electric circuitat said manual means for allowing the various stop motion units to againguard and control stopping of the knitting machine.

It will be recalled that the feeler members are positioned at highlyinaccessible points which cannot readily be reached or seen. For thisreason another important obj ect of this invention is to associate asignal with each feeler member for detectingl which oi the ieelermembers are up for quickly locating the 4areas oi knitting where repairis required. With this arrangement the necessary repairs may be quicklyperformed on the yarn of the knitting machine which is then ready to berestarted.

Another object of the invention resides in arranging the signals upon apanel of a signal box which may be located at a convenient point andwhich may be easily operated for signalling which one of the feelermembers is in a raised position, and in this way locating the area ofknitting requiring repair.

An arrangement is proposed whereby the operator of the knitting machineneed only press a button upon the signal box housing the signals,whereupon one or more of the signals function to indicate the raisedfeeler members. It is also proposed that each signal be connected inseries with a throw-off switch so that after the raised feeler membershave been located the throw-off switches may be operated for opening thecircuits of the particular signals and in this Way opening the circuitsof the particular feeler members which then allows the restarting of theknitting machine and allows its operation until all raised feelermembers are automatically depressed and their associated switches areagain opened permitting operation of the knitting machine and making itpossible to again reclose the throw-off switches and again placing thedetector back into operating condition.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a device asdescribed which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured andsold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a knitting machine providedwith a press-off detector constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic horizontal sectional view as though taken on theline 2--2 of Fig. 1, but only illustrating a portion of the cylinder ofthe knitting machine, and schematically illustrating the circularknitted material, and furthermore illustrating plan views of a pluralityof the feeler members and their associated parts mounted around thecylinder of the machine and cooperative with the circular knittedmaterial.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary schematic sectional View taken on the line 3 3of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken centrallytransversely through a portion of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 5--5of Fig. 4. l

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevational View looking in the direction of theline 'I--1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an elevational View of the cover of the control box shown inFig. 7 but viewed from the back.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of feelermember and certain associated parts constructed in accordance with amodified form of this invention.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 11 to whicha schematic showing of the knitted material has been applied.

The knitting machine press-off indicator, in accordance with thisinvention, is applied to a circular knitting machine I0 having acylinder II through which the circular knitted material I2 passes. Theknitting machine I0 is provided with an electric controller I 4 of atype as disclosed in patent to Edward Vossen, No. 2,357,713, patentedSeptember 5, 1944, and including a normally closed controller switch I5(see Fig.l 10) which opens when said controller stops the knittingmachine, and a coil I6 for setting the controller off. The controller I4is electrically operated and controls the clutch or drive of theknitting machine I0 in the usual way, not illustrated herein. Aplurality of feeler operated stop motions I8 are arranged around thecylinder Il and are adapted to stop the knitting machine III byactuating the controller I4. Each of these feeler operation stop motiondevices includes a movably mounted feeler member 20 mounted upon asupport 2|.

Each support 2I is in the nature of a tubular member. A bracket 22 isformed with a slot 23 through which the tube 2I passes. Several setscrews 24 are engaged through one of the walls of the bracket 22 andabut the tubular member 2l by which it may be locked in various raisedand lowered positions. The bracket 22 has a forked portion 25 for afastening element 26 by which it is attached to the cylinder I I. Thefeeler member 20 is in the nature of a metal shell having an open bottom21. A plate 28 is flxedly mounted on the top of the tubular member 2|and engages into the open bottom 21 at the back end of the feeler member20. A pintle 29 is mounted through the plate 28 and connects with thefeeler member 20 by which the latter is pivotally supported so that itmay pivot upwards and downwards. The feeler member 2U is provided with acam-like surface 30 adapted to be engaged by the knitted material I2 bywhich the feeler member 20 is normally held downwards and by which it ismoved downwards after it assumes a raised position and engages throughan opening forming in the knitted material I2.

The operation of the cam-like surface 3U may be better understood byexamining Fig. 3 and noting that the feeler member 20 is illustrated infull lines in a down position and is held down by the knitted materialI2 passing over the cam surface 3U. As the knitting machine knits theknitted material I2 keeps passing downwards. However, when a slub orknot or entanglement occurs at one of the guide holes at the needles ofthe knitting machine the yarn breaks and an opening develops in theknitted material I2. Then the feeler member 20 is free to move upwardsthrough the opening, as indicated by the dot and dash lines 20 in Fig.3. In this latter position the edge of the opening in the knittedmaterial is in a position to engage against the cam surface 30 so thatthe feeler member 20 will be forced downwards into its original positionwhen the knitting operation is restarted.

A spacer stud 32 is mounted on and projects from the plate 28 andengages the inside diameter of the cylinder I'I for properly holding thesupport 2I spaced from the cylinder wall so that the feeler member 20may freely pivot upwards and dowwnwards. The feeler member 2U is limitedto an up position when the back edge portion 33 thereof engages the backface of the plate 28. Resilient means normally urge the feeler member 26into its raised position 4for maintaining the feeler member 28 againstthe knitted material I2 and for moving it upwards into an opening whichmay form in the knitted material. rEhis resilient means includes a slidein the nature of a strip of metal 34 extending downwards through thesupport 2i. The strip of metal 34 has a rounded top section 35 engaginginto the open bottom 21 of the feeler member 20 and engaging acrossthe'bottom face of the top wall thereof for urging the feeler member 26upwards. From this point 35 the strip 24 continues into a downwardlyextending section 36 which continues into a laterally extending section31 and a short upward directed section 38. A spring 39 acts against thelateral section 31 for urging the slide 34 upwards. The spring 39extends downwards and over and around an adjustment screw 40. Thisadjustment screw 40 is provided with a follower nut 4I which slidablyengages the inner faces of the walls of the'support tube 2|. The screw46 has a reduced bottom portion 42 which rotatively engages through aninsulation block 43 mounted in the bottom of the support tube 2|.Washers 44 :and 45 are mounted on the reduced portion 42 against the topand bottom faces of the block 43 for rotatively supporting the screw 48.

A switch 46 is associated with each feeler member 2li and comprises acontract arm 41 mounted upon and within the insulation block 43 andextending upwards into the hollow of an insulation cover 48 which ismounted on the bottom of the support tube 2|. A contact 49 is mountedupon the bottom of the slide 34 and is cooperative with the contact arm41. The contact arm 41 has a bent central portion arranged so that whenthe slide 34 is in a down position the contact 49 will not engage thecontact arm 41. However, when the slide 34 is in a raised position thecontact 49 will engage the contact arm 41. A terminal 50 is mounted uponthe insulation block 43 and connects with the contact arm 41. A knob 5Iis mounted upon the bottom portion 42 of the screw 40 by which the screw46 may be turned for adjusting the tension of the spring 39 andindirectly the tension of the upward urge of the feeler member 20.

A plurality of different signals 55 in the nature of small electriclamps are associated with said stop motion devices I8 for indicating theopen and closed positions of the stop motion devices. The diierentsignals 55 are distinguished from each other by reference numeralsassociated with them; for example, numbers 1 to 6 as illustrated inFigs. '7 .and 1Q. The lamps 55 are mounted in lamp sockets 51 which aremounted upon a conductor plate 58 supported by insulation pieces 59 upona front panel 65 of a panel box 6I. This panel box 6I is mounted in aconvenient place on the knitting machine I6. The panel 65 is providedwith lenses 68 one for each of the lamps 55. The signal indicatingnumerals 1 to 6 are imprinted on the front of the panels 65. A normallyclosed throw switch 6I is provided for each of the lamps 55, and saidswitches 6I are positioned directly adjacent the lamps 55. Theseswitches 5I have handles 62 passing through openings .63 in the panel 65by which they may be manually operated. An electric cable Y64 connectswith the conductor plate 58. The cur,- rent from the conductor plate 58may enter all of the casings of the lamp sockets 51. After passingthrough the lamps 55 the current continues along leads 66 to one of. theterminals of the switches 6I. 'Leads 81 connect with the other terminalsof the switches 6I and are gathered in a. cable 68 which passes upwardsinto'the cylinder Il of the knitting machine. Each ofthe leads 61 of thecables 68 is provided with va clamp 10 for engaging upon the terminals5!) of the stop motion devices I8.

The lamps 55 are connected in a plurality of parallel secondary circuits1I one for each of the signals 55 and each of said circuits 1I includesin series one oi the signals 55 and its normally closed switch 6I, and anormally open switch 46 of one of the stop motion devices I8. The stopmotion devices I8 are identied with numerals 1 to 6 corresponding withthe numerals given to the signals 55 (see Fig.10).

A resistance 13 is provided for each signal 55 connected in shuntcircuits 14 'shunting the sig4 nais 55 so that the press-off multipledetector will operate if the circuits of the lamps 55 are open becauseof defective lamps. .A main electric circuit 18 is provided whichreceives electricity from .a transformer 11. The main electric circuit16 includes in series all of said parallel secondary circuits 1l, theswitch I5, and the coil I6 of the controller I4. A shunt circuit 18 isprovided shunting the controller vswitch I5 and coil I6, and includes inseries a manually operable push button switch 80 which is mounted on theside of the signal box 6I.

The operation and use of the device may be understood from thefollowing:

Assume that the knitting machine lo is operating and knitting thecircular knitted material I2. Assume that one of the yarns to theknitting machines becomes knotted,'entangled or for some other reason,breaks. Immediately a press-oir starts and begins travelling around thecylinder II of the knitting machine. A point is soon reached where oneof the feeler ngers 26 is released because it may move upwards into theopening caused by a partial press-off. For the purpose of explanationassume that the feeler member 28 which has moved upwards is #1, asindicated in Fig. 10. Immediately switch 46 o this particular stopmotion I8 closes so that an electric circuit is now established whichmay be traced from the left hand end of the coil of the transformer 11and in the circuit 16. The current will flow to the conductor plate 58through lamp 55 which is numbered l, and coil 13 of said lamp, thenthrough the normally closed throw-off switch 6I thereof to the closedswitch 46 to the ground. From the ground the current ows to thecontroller I4, ilowing through the closed switch I5, the coil I6, andthe return to the transformer 11. Instantly, the controller I4 isactuated, operating to instantly stop the knitting machine, and in sodoing the controller switch I5 opens. As soon as controller switch I5opens the circuit 15 is broken and the signal lamp 55 is no longer lit.

The operator now investigates -to ascertain why the knitting machinestopped. He presses closed the push button switch 80. Current now flowsfrom the transformer 11 through lamp 55 which is numbered 1, theresistance 13 of this lamp, the closed throw-oir switch 6I, the closedswitch 46 of stop motion device I8 which is numbered #1, the ground, thenow closed push button switch 80, and back to the transformer 11. Assoon as Y lamp 55, which is numbered #l lights the voperator knows thatstop motion device I8, which is numbered correspondingly #1, is the onethat stopped the knitting machine. He now examines the yarn in thisvicinity. and repairsthe break.

After repair has been made the knitting machine cannot be startedbecause even though the broken yarn has been repaired stop motion deviceI8, which is numbered #1, has its feeler member 2U is a raised positionand its switch 46 in a closed position. The operator cannot reach saidstop motion device I8 nor its switch 46. The operator proceeds now byopening the throw-out switch 6| which is associated with lamp 55numbered 1. Now the electric circuit 'll of stop motion device i8 whichis numbered 1 is open and the knitting machine ID can be restarted.

The operator restarts the knitting machine l in the usual way and asknitting proceeds the knitted material l2 will automatically move theraised feeler member 20 back into its down position because the edge ofthe opening in the knitted material is engaging the cam surface 30 ofsaid raised feeler member 20. As soon as the feeler member 20 is back inits lowered position its switch 46 will be opened and now the operatormay reclose the opened throw-out switch 6l which he opened before, inorder to start the knitting machine. The parts are now in their originalpositions and knitting continues until another press ol threatens. Itshould be noted that the multiple indicator prevented a completepressoi. While the press-off was still small the knitting machine wasstopped and thus a lot of time of the operator was saved.

In Figs. 11 and l2 a modified form of feeler member 85 has beenillustrated. This feeler member 85 has a rounded top 86. The feelermember 85 is slidably mounted upon the top of a support tube 2|. Thesupport tube 2l is provided with a spacer stud 32 which passes through aslot 8l' in the feeler member 85, limiting its upward and downwardsliding. Within the tube 2 I there is the slide strip 34 which has arounded top portion 88 engaging against the top of the feeler member 85.The lower portion of the stop motion device, not illustrated, isidentical to that shown in Fig. 4. The knitted material I2 normallyengages against the rounded top portion 86 of the feeler member 85,holding it down. When an opening develops in the knitted material l2 thefeeler member 85 is free to move upwards, which indirectly stops theknitting machine as previously explained. When suitable repair is madeand the knitting machine is restarted, the edge of the opening in theknitted material l2 engaging the rounded top 86 of the feeler member 85forces the latter back into its downward position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming with the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A knitting machine press-ofi detector, comprising a plurality offeeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardlyby engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine,resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any ofsaid feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in saidknitted material, means forstopping said knitting machine when. any ofsaid feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being providedwith cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knittedmaterial and by which the feeler members wlll be moved back into theirdown positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits andsaid openings move downwards.

2. A knitting machine press-off detector, comprising a plurality offeeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardlyby engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine,resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any ofsaid feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in saidknitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any ofsaid feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being providedwith cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knittedmaterial and by which the feeler members will be moved back into theirdown positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits andsaid openings move downwards, said feeler members being pivotallysupported.

3. A knitting machine press-oit detector, comprising a plurality olfeeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardlyby engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine,resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any ofsaid feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in saidknitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any ofsaid feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being providedwith cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knittedmaterial and by which the feeler members will be moved back into theirdown positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits andsaid openings move downwards, said feeler members being slidablysupported.

4. A knitting machine press-off detector, comprising a plurality offeeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardlyby engaging against the knitted material Iof a knitting machine,resilient means for urging said feeler members upwards so that any ofsaid feeler members may move upwards into openings forming in saidknitted material, means for stopping said knitting machine when any ofsaid feeler members move upwards, and said feeler members being providedwith cams for engaging the edges of openings forming in said knittedmaterial and by which the feeler members will be moved back into theirdown positions when said knitting machine is restarted and knits andsaid openings move downwards, and means for adjusting the resiliency ofsaid resilient means. 5. A knitting machine press-oit multiple detector,comprising an electric controller for stopping a knitting machine, aplurality of feeler members movably supported in spaced positions andheld downwardly by engaging against the knitted material of saidknitting machine, resilient means urging said feeler members upwardly sothat any of said feeler members may move upwardly into openings formingin said knitted material, said feeler members being provided with camsfor engaging the edges oi openings formed in said knitted material andby which the feeler members will be moved back into their down positionswhen said knitting machine continues to knit and said openings movedownwards, an electric circuit for operating said controller, switchesin said circuit and connected with said feeler members for stopping saidknitting machine when any one or more of said feeler 9 members moveupwardly, and means for opening said electric circuit so that saidknitting machine may be operated to a point where the knitted materialmoves downwards and moves all raised feeler members back into downpositions.

6. A knitting machine press-'off multiple detector, comprising 4anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine, a plurality ofieeler members movably supported in spaced positions and heldldownwardly by engaging against the,

knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging saidfeeler members upwardly so that any Vof said feeler members may moveupwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, said feelermembers being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openingsformed in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will bemoved back into their down positions when said knitting machinecontinues to knit and said openings move downwards, an electric circuitfor operating said controller, switches in said circuit and connnectedwith said reeler members for stopping said knitting machine when any oneor more of said-feeler members move upwardly, and means for opening saidelectric circuit so that said knitting machine may be operated to apoint where the knitted material moves downwards and moves all raisedieeler members back into down "positions, including a throw-out switch.

7. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine, a plurality offeeler members movably supported in spaced positions and held downwardlyby engaging against the.

knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient means urging saidfeeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler members may moveupwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, said feelermembers being provided with cams for engaging the edges of openingsformed in said knitted material and by which the feeler members will bemoved back into their down positions when said knitting machinecontinues to knit and said openings move downwards, an electric circuitfor operating said controller, switches in said circuit and connectedwith said feeler members for stopping said knitting machine when any oneor more of said feeler members move upwardly, means for opening saidelectric circuit so that said knitting machine may be operated to apoint where the knitted material moves downwards and moves all raisedfeeler members back into 'down' positions, and a signal for each feelermember for indicating which of the feeler members are up for'locatingthe areas of knitting where repair is required.

8. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality ofdifferent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each of v said signals, a plurality ofparallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and eachcircuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closedswitch and its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit includingin series all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controllerswitch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of saiddifferent signals, said feeler members being movably mounted' on saidsupports in spaced positions and held down- 10 wardly by engagingagainst knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient meansurging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler membersmay move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, andmeans for selectively closing said normally open switches controlledselectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operableswitch, and a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and saidcoil and including in series said manually operable switch.

9. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for vsetting the controller off, a plurality ofdifferent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each oi said signals, a plurality oi parallelsecondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuitincluding in series one of said signals and its normally closed switchand its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including inseries all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switchand said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said differentsignals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports inspaced positions and held down-A wardly by engaging against knittedmaterial of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feelermembers upwardly so that any of said ieeler Amembers may move upwardlyinto openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectivelyclosing said normally open switches controlled selectively when saidfeeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuitshunting said controller switch and said coil and including in seriessaid manually operable switch, a resistance for each of said signals,and shunt circuits shunting said signals and including said resistancesin series.

10. A knitting machine press-oli multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a, plurality ofdiierent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallelsecondary'circuits one for each of said signals and each circuitincluding in series one of said signals and its normally closed switchand its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including inseries all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switchand said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said differentsignals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports inspaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knittedmaterial of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feelermembers upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardlyinto openings forming in said knitted material, means normally closedcontroller switch which opens when said controller stops said machineand a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality of differentsignals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, a normallyopened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallelsecondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuitincluding in series one of said signals and its normally closed switchand its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including inseries all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switchand said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said differentsignals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports inspaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knittedmaterial of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feelermembers upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardlyinto openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectivelyclosing said normally open switches controlled selectively when saidfeeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuitshunting said controller switch and said coil and including in seriessaid manually operable switch, and means for holding said supports inselected raised and lowered positions, including brackets, and means forholding said supports in adjusted positions on said brackets.

12. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stoping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality ofdifferent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality oi.parallel secondary circuits one for each of said signals and eachcircuit including in series one of said signals and its normally closedswitch and its normally opened switch, `a main electric circuitincluding in series all of said parallel secondary circuits, saidcontroller switch and said coil, supports, a feeler member for each ofsaid different signals, said feeler members being movably mounted onsaid supports in spaced positions and held downwardly by engagingagainst knitted material of said knitting machine, resilient meansurging said feeler members upwardly so that any of said feeler membersmay move upwardly into openings forming in said knitted material, meansfor selectively closing said normally open switches controlledselectively when said feeler members move upwards, a manually operableswitch, and a shunt circuit shunting said controller switch and saidcoil and including in series said manually operable switch, saiddiilerent signals being lamps and marks distinguishing said lamps.

13. A knitting machine press-off multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for setting the controller oir, a plurality ofdifferent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallelsecondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuitincluding in series one of said signals and its normally closed switchand its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including inseries all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switchand said coil, supports, a feeler 12 member for each of said differentsignals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports inspaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knittedmaterial of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feelermembers upwardly so that any oi said feeler members may move upwardlyinto openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectivelyclosing said normally open switches controlled selectively when saidfeeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, and a shuntcircuit shunting said controller switch and said coil and including inseries said manually operable switch, said normally closed switchesbeing manually openable.

14. A k-nitting machine press-oil multiple detector, comprising anelectric controller for stopping a knitting machine and including anormally closed controller switch Which opens when said controller stopssaid machine and a coil for setting the controller off, a plurality ofdifferent signals, a normally closed switch for each of said signals, anormally opened switch for each of said signals, a plurality of parallelsecondary circuits one for each of said signals and each circuitincluding in series one of said signals and its normally closed switchand its normally opened switch, a main electric circuit including inseries all of said parallel secondary circuits, said controller switchand said coil, supports, a feeler member for each of said differentsignals, said feeler members being movably mounted on said supports inspaced positions and held downwardly by engaging against knittedmaterial of said knitting machine, resilient means urging said feelermembers upwardly so that any of said feeler members may move upwardlyinto openings forming in said knitted material, means for selectivelyclosing said normally open switches controlled selectively when saidfeeler members move upwards, a manually operable switch, a shunt circuitshunting said cont-roller switch and said coil and including in seriessaid manually operable switch, said resilient means including a springfor the resilient tension thereof, and means for adjusting the tensionof said spring.

15. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a support, a feeler membermovably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engagingagainst knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means urgingsaid feeler member upwardly for engaging into an opening which may formin said knitted material, a normally open switch mounted on saidsupport, and means for closing said switch when said feeler-member movesupwards.

16. In a knitting machine press-ofi detector, a support, a feeler membermovably mounted on said support and directed downwardly for engagingagainst knitted material of a knitting machine, resilient means urgingsaid feeler member upwardly for engaging into an opening which may formin said knitted material, a normally open switch mounted on saidsupport, means for closing said switch when said feeler-member movesupwards, and means for controlling the resiliency of said resilientmeans.

1'?. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a tubular support, afeeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardlyfor engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slideslidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler memberfor moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging saidslide upwards, means for adjusting the tension ci said spring means, anda normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of saidslide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with acontact mounted on said slide.

18. In a knitting machine press-off detector, a tubular support, afeeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardlyfor engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slideslidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler memberfor moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging saidslide upwards, means for adjusting the tension of said spring means, anda normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of saidslide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with acontact mounted on said slide, said slide comprising a strip extendingthrough said tubular support and having a top portion extendingdownwards and laterally, said spring means including a spring engagingagainst said laterally extending portion.

19. In a knitting machine press-oil? detector, a tubular support, afeeler member movably mounted on said support and directed downwardlyfor engaging against the knitted material of a knitting machine, a slideslidably mounted in said tubular support and engaging said feeler memberfor moving said feeler member upwards, spring means for urging saidslide upwards, means for adjusting the tension of said spring means, anda normally open switch connected to be closed in the up position of saidslide and including a contact mounted on said support cooperative with acontact mounted on said slide, said slide comprising a strip extendingthrough said tubular support and having a top portion extendingdownwards and laterally, said spring means including a spring engagingagainst said laterally extending portion, said means for adjusting saidspring including a screw turnably mounted, and a follower nut threadedlyengaged on said screw and non-rotatively engaging the inner wall of saidtubular support and supporting the bottom end of said spring.

EDWARD VOSSEN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sperzel Feb. 6, 1945Number

